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Tuesday, September 22, 2009......

I liked the title of my blog, but not sure it captures the spirit of the entry because I'm NOT giving one thing away today. Sorry.

Today, besides the first day of Fall and the Fall Solstice, is my actual birthday and the last day of LMB National Birthday week. Tomorrow is hubby's birthday and it would be wrong to over shadow his special day with continuing MY birthday celebration.

Besides shouting from the blogsphere rooftops that it was my birthday week for the past 7 days, I bet you wondered what else I did to celebrate National LMB Week.

Well......

It meant that for the past 7 days I forced myself to stop my daily routine and do something just for me. In theory it sounds easy, but not always. Here's a snapshot of what I did just for me this past week:

- Starbucks. Went a couple of times. For some this is an everyday trek, but not for me. I only like fake coffee and although I like their drinks, I also find them sweet and don't think I could have them everyday for this reason.

- Went to a Movie in the Middle of the Day. Yeah, I can do that unemployed, but don't too often. I enjoyed it. It was as if I had my own private screening.

- Birthday Dinners. A friend cooked for me Friday night and I cooked for Yoga Girl Saturday night. I hadn't seen my friend since her trip to Arizona and my sister since Father's Day (YIKES). Yoga Girl gave me a great gift -- a cooking class at The Silo in New Milford. It is a small cooking school that attracts cookbook authors and teachers for lessons and demonstrations. I am seeing Rick Rodgers, an amazing teacher AND author of several cookbooks. He does an amazing Thanksgiving class and this year's menu is no exception (bacon mashed potatoes - how can you go wrong).

- Lunch with a gf. She is one busy mom and our schedules don't sync up often, but when they do, we have a great time together. I've known my gf since second grade and consider myself one lucky person. Her birthday is tomorrow, which makes me more mature ...I wish.

- Introspective Time. This past week I basically forced myself on a daily basis to look at me. Look at what I want and need to be happy. Unfortunately, I wasn't the happiest at what I saw. I was drifting and becoming more and more negative about any and almost things.

I admit, I'm happy I'm starting to enjoy the process of doing something and not backing down from a challenge because of my own fears of failure or success. It has really has shifted my attitude about dieting. In the past, I would have dreaded it, now, not so much. I recognize I won't be perfect, but as I continue to try and make necessary changes for a healthy lifestyle, I know I'll be fine.

However, this one change wasn't enough. Because I forced myself daily to do one special thing, I realized I hadn't a clue what I really wanted for me. I was thinking of 'early retirement' the same way I do when in a doctor's waiting room -- a period of limbo.

Typically, when I go to a doctor's office (I've been to too many the past decade) I know to bring a book to pass the time. I don't want to just pass time. I want to be an active participate during this phase of it.

In order to do this, I created a vision board (Oprah.com has an online one that is easy to use and pretty cool). It helped me focus on what I want for me.

I also got a brilliant idea from McGillicutty to do 44 new things this upcoming year. For me, that means trying new foods, doing new things or going to new places (I've never been to my town's library and that's a crime). What a simple and amazing way to open one's eyes and mind. Thanks McGillicutty!

I'm also, outside of death or coma, keeping my daily gratitude journal. List 5 things I'm happy for. I have kept one on-and-off for several years, but I stopped some time back and really need to do it again. It does shift my perspective for the day and I want that.

So, that's what I did for National LMB Birthday Week. Today, I'm off to Newport RI with hubby to celebrate our birthdays. I will not be posting a Wednesday Rant and Rave, but rxBambi, Green Eyed Momster and Matty usually do. Please check them out.

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and a shout out to Yoga Girl for an amazing Birthday present!